Online and Terrestrial Identity Theft: A Comparison of Victims and Examination of Reporting Decisions Across Modalities

Abstract

The current study examines whether identity theft that occurs online differs from terrestrial identity theft, and the correlates of reporting across modalities. Findings from two samples (online n = 1,087; terrestrial n = 371) from the 2016, 2018, and 2021 waves of the National Crime Victimization Survey’s Identity Theft Supplement indicate that terrestrial identity theft led to greater levels of distress and financial losses than online identity theft, and was more often reported to police. Multivariate findings indicate that distress levels and knowledge of the person who committed the offense were positively associated with odds of reporting online identity theft, but not terrestrial identity theft. The article highlights the importance of acknowledging the modality of identity theft, and offers suggestions for policy.